Sparkling Blue Waves in Chennai

Chennai has been lit for a couple of days now over the bright blue waves that are washing up on its beaches. The phenomenon is called sea sparkle.

Cause of this Phenomenon

• This was caused by sea algae called Noctiluca scintillans, commonly referred to as sea sparkle. These are organisms that live on photosynthesis like plants and also on other sea planktons, which are food sources for other marine organisms.
• The bright blue light is produced because of a reaction between two substances released by the Noctiluca scintillans. This is called bioluminescence and is similar to how fireflies produce their similarly ....